10 Must-See Shows This Halloween Weekend

There's plenty to be worried about these days. Just off the top of our heads, there's the very real possibility of a Mitt Romney presidency, the horrors of the ever-lagging economy, and all that folderol about whether or not the world's ending in a couple of months.

Frankly, your brains have probably been so vexed over the state of the world lately that you've likely devoted little to no time about what to do for Halloween, let alone what to wear while out and about during the scary season.

That's where we come in. A slew of spooky and kooky shows are scheduled to take place this weekend. Here's a few of those, and check back on Monday, October 29, for our picks for most see shows on the actual night of Halloween, Wednesday, October 31.

Friday, October 26: Eroticide @ 910 Live

The notoriously bizarre hard rock band Eroticide, who are infamous for the gothically gonzo shows featuring naked females on crucifixes and other horrific stunts, return to the Valley music scene after a four-year absence with a night of "metal perversion" in honor of Halloween. Like-minded metal acts Vehemence, She Murdered Me, 24 Thorns, In Peril, and Enemy Machine are also on the lineup for the all-ages gig. 6 p.m., $12.

Cupcake!, :Fallout.Shelter:, Sticky Fingers @ Bar Smith

The DJs of Cupcake! and :Fallout.Shelter: -- including Self.Destrukt and Defense. Mekanizm -- weill take over the lower level of Bar Smith and blast aggrotech, dark electro, and witch house during their Fright Night affair. A costume contest also takes place at midnight. Meanwhile, William Fucking Reed and the rest of the Sticky Fingers residents will be throwing their Halloween Masquerade and will welcome Tomas Barfod of WhoMadeWho into their midst for a special DJ set.

Freaky-deaky rap star Koshir will spit ill rhymes during the fourth annual "Screwd and Tattooed" party at the Mesa bar. Other hip-hop artists scheduled to perform include OverTime, Damien Damani, Herman Watson Wikid One, Drugatti Castellano, Click Bang. RJ Shootah, C-Sicc, Mz. Medizinalz, Cem Cal, Lyrical Trilogy, and others. A $100 tattoo contest -- where the patron with "the sickest ink" wins -- will also take place.

Saturday, October 28: Zero Zero @ The Clarendon

Ben Bethel, owner of this chic CenPho Hotel, will be holding his annual swanked up Halloween Bash, which is bound to feature much costumed revelry. The party will feature a gig by Zero Zero (the synth-pop side project from a few members of the Love Me Nots) who will also be shooting their latest video at the event. Be sure to both dress to impress and avoid getting too hammered. Members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will also judge costume contests at 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. DJ Shane Kennedy and electronica act Vial of Sound will also perform during the evening.

The Dagger Death Race promises daring thrills to fixie fanatics and adventurous urban cyclists, but you don't need two wheels to get down with the after party, which takes over Mugg Shots Bar in Tempe at the end of the race (hell, you can take the light rail if you want). DJ Benko will be providing choice cuts, and Ace High Cutthroats, pound-for-pound one of the Valley's finest meat and potatoes rock outfits, will provide a Motorhead-style soundtrack to your nursing of both beers and scraped knees. Ride on.

Fiendish fun will take place in abundance during the Nightmare on Main Street block party. Highlights of the 16‑and‑over event include a beer festival with brews from San Tan Brewery and Coors, a variety of vendors, fire dancing, and a costume contest with $1,000 in cash prizes. Norwegian aggrotech band Combichrist are scheduled to perform along with Komor Kommando, The Strand, and Hardwire.

Valley hip-hop powerhouse 101.5 Jamz will present its "Halloween Hook Up" hootenanny. Super Snake, Lady La, Jackie Morales and other on-air personalities will step away from their microphones for an evening to host the event, which will feature a costume competition with $10,000 in cash and prizes, as well as music from hip-hop superstars of Far East Movement and such DJs as Decipha, Matta Fact and Mikee Mike will perform.

Saturday, October 28: Morgan Page @ Axis/Radius

House music heavyweights Morgan Page and the Stratford Brothers will co‑headline the Scottsdale dance parlor's massive Ghostball extravaganza. More than 10,000 people will attend this glitzy affair, which will not only pack both Axis and Radius, but also the outdoor pavilion encompassing both clubs and an huge portion of Indian Plaza. A total of $10,000 in cash and prizes are also at stake during the ball's ginormous costume contest, which boasts some of the most impressive getups around.

"In the ancient world, the harvest festival -- the stuff that Halloween comes from -- was a celebration of the completion of the harvest and it was also the new year to the ancient Celts," Tiger Army frontman Nick 13 told Phoenix New Times. "And I think a lot of primitive societies were more in touch with death and the role that it played in life. The outlook was healthier and more complete in a lot of ways. So some of those themes tie in to what Octoberflame means to us personally." The esteemed psychobilly band brings its signature twang and spooky touch to the Marquee on Sunday, October 28.

The members of "Japanese action comic punk" band Peelander-Z will pack just as many zany thrills of your average Halloween party - including colorful costumes, games human bowling, and audience interaction - during their gig at the Trunk Space. Jason Anderson of Wolf Colonel and Electric Eel Shock will open the show.

• Concerts